What a pretty onyx bear Emery has made. It has exquisite color and the delicate banding extends throughout the bear's body. Just a really nice, color bear. He's gifted with a turquoise "arrowhead" that's tied on in usual fashion with small nuggets of turquoise and red coral. The eyes are inlaid of turquoise.

Someone asked me recently what the significance of the arrowhead offering was. Long ago, when the Zunis found and kept concretion fetishes, they would tie a genuine arrowhead on the animal as a prayer that their arrow would find its mark and provide sustenance for the family. It was also a prayer of gratitude for the animal giving it's own life for the perpetuation of Zuni life.

Only rarely do you see a bonafide, hand-knapped arrowhead on a fetish today. Today's offerings are carved on the wheel just like the fetishes are, buffed and polished and tied into place. Still the symbolism is the same - almost. Now the Zuni carvers breathe a prayer that their carving will find its intended owner and bless and protect that individual from harm.

BEAR: The bear represents the western direction in a protective and healing fetish set. He is associated with the color blue and known for his curative powers. Though all bears are healers, white bears are particularly powerful. Characteristics associated with bears include strength, courage, adaptability, healing and spiritual communion.

Click here to hear "bear" in Shiwi, - the Zuni Language.